Door Locks

[farmboy]

My Boxster is a 1998. I'm having some trouble with my door locks.

On the passenger side the lock turns, but doesn't unlock the doors. Is this a typical problem?

On the driver side the lock turns (but it's really sticky), I'm worried it's going to break.

I suppose I will have to open up the door panels and see what's going on in there. As I understand it, the dealer only sells the lock cylinder part - I hope that's all that's broken.

It would be nice to add the factory remote unlock feature on the car -- I don't have it! I imagine that wouldn't be impossible, since the locks already have that electric feature where if you lock/unlock one side, the other will unlock/lock as well.

Thanks

[Chris_in_NH]

sorry, this isn't really much help, but...

you say you have a door lock cylinder on the passenger side? consider yourself lucky! from what i understand, these cars are rare. for example, my '97 only has a lock cylinder on the driver's side. some cars for some reason have this passenger side door lock cylinder. i WISH that my car had this. it *may* be that cars w/o the alarm system installed have both-sides door locks. that would make sense. otherwise, if your only door lock broke, you would have no way to get into the car.

have you tried turning the key all the way in both directions?

on your driver's door lock, you might try putting some powdered graphite in there to lube the lock. but if it's sticky, it may be on its way out. a new door lock is a serious pain in the a$, as if you want your lock to arrive cut to accept your current key(s), you must order it from Porsche using your VIN. i guess this takes a while...

as far as the alarm retrofit, i don't see why you couldn't do it. look under your driver's seat to see what black box you have. i have the M535 alarm system w/remote capabilities. the M531 system is just the central door locking system. M536 is the M535 w/tilt sensors.

i'm guessing the necessary wiring harnesses should be there and ready to accept an alarm system. after that, you'll probably need to have it coded or something.